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Title
The Vision of Shakespeare
Date
1829–1830
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 125.7 x W 100.3 cm
Accession number
SM P213
Acquisition method
commissioned by Sir John Soane, 1829
Work type
Painting
Inscription description
Shakespeare. Resting on the lap of fancy is contemplating the "visions of glory" which she invokes, while Lyrical Poetry rising from the earth invites him to ascend the brightest heaven of invention. Tragedy and comedy are calling before him. The shadowy forms of his principle dramatic characters near him. Titania, watched by Oberon, is sleeping in her bower; and a train of fairies are sporting about him. On one side the stars are shooting from their spheres "to hear the sea maid's music", on t